English I Honors

Today was the day: PASS testing! Everyone was thrilled, I’m sure. The students I spoke with said they were so excited about today that they could hardly get to sleep last night. “I must have texted 100 of my friends about it,” one girl said. “I was like, ‘Can you believe it!? After all this waiting, it’s tomorrow!’ And she was like, ‘I know!'”

Other classes relaxed, watching film adaptations for selections we’ve been reading.

Homework

Even if I had some, I couldn’t assign it: it’s a violation of district policy! (However, fourth period could start reading the next chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird to get ahead for tomorrow’s homework.)

First period took a very individualized approach to class today. We’re trying to clear up any loose ends before Tuesday’s test. Each student worked on something specific to his/her needs and deficits. I tried to conference with as many students as possible about those deficits, but I was unable to get through all 29 in the class. We’ll continue tomorrow, adding a peer-editing element toward the end of the day.

Second and sixth periods looked again at using specific details to pump up writing. Many of the practice PASS test responses from last week demonstrated a real need in this area. Hopefully, I’ll be able to re-teach just enough in order to maximize their PASS scores.

Fourth period continued with To Kill a Mockingbird. We worked on the Say Something strategy in anticipation of our most challenging work, which still lies before us: Dickens’s Great Expectations.

Homework

First period: continue on the work we started in class.

Second and sixth period: take one of your drafts from the Anne Frank writing last week and use the wh- question format to add enough details to quadruple the length of the paragraph. (Ah! That’s what all those drafts are for!)

First period had a short session of peer editing in preparation for next week’s four days of second-drafting.

Second and sixth period continued working with paragraphs, looking at paragraph unity.

Finally, sixth period began preparing for short presentations on three topics from To Kill a Mockingbird. In three groups, students looked at three questions that bridge the gap between literature and social/political issues.

Calpurnia and the First Purchase African M.E. Church: What is Calpurnia’s purpose in the novel?

Lady Is as Lady Does: What is Aunt Alexandra’s perfect Southern lady? Does it correspond with Southern society in the 1930’s?

No Man is an Island: Did Atticus make a poor decision to represent Tom in such an emotionally charged trial? Was it the right decision?

Students will present their information Monday.

Tomorrow, all students have MAP testing.

Homework

First, second, and sixth periods: all ten drafts need to be completed on Monday.

Second and sixth periods touched briefly on that eternal teaching topic: adding details. We’re in the midst of a three-week writing workshop to review materials for the PASS test and wrap up the unit on The Diary of Anne Frank.

First period is working on the same, but their topic was a little different: effective beginnings.

Fourth period took a class period to share their best song selections from their Romeo and Juliet soundtrack project: lots of different styles and connections.

Homework

First, second, and sixth: remember that you have ten pieces to write before next Friday. We’re working in class, but you should be working at home as necessary.

First period did research for Anne Frank project. We’ll be working next week on the biography/report based on the research.

Fourth period began To Kill a Mockingbird. I simply read the first chapter aloud to give students an opportunity to become acquainted with the language of the text. Students’ ticket out the door was to provide two words that describe their view of the book after the first chapter. “Southern” was one that seemed to hit the target square on.

Homework

First period: complete any research as necessary.

Fourth period: complete the Romeo and Juliet project and turn it in Monday.

All periods worked on writing today: First period began their project for The Diary of Anne Frank. Second and sixth continued working on the same projects. Fourth period continued working on their Romeo and Juliet soundtrack projects. (Organization guide available here.)